DNR to start category for catch-and-release fish records
Beginning in 2017, Wisconsin anglers will be able to enter fish in a catch-and-release records category.
The Department of Natural Resources calls the program “Live Release.”
The agency announced the new program in its Spring 2017 Wisconsin Fishing Report.
The DNR distributed copies of the annual publication at its booth at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show in West Allis.
The program has been publicly discussed since August 2013, when the DNR announced plans for changes. At the time, it included proposals to establish Legacy, Modern and Live Release categories.
The Legacy category would have preserved 13 old records, including the 69-pound, 11-ounce muskellunge attributed to Louis Spray in 1949 on the Chippewa Flowage.
The plan attracted some criticism, primarily from those who thought it would diminish the importance of Spray’s fish, which is recognized as the species record by the state and Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
Concerned about the controversy, the agency backed away from its plans, including the widely supported Live Release category.
The International Game Fish Association, Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and many states have long run highly successful catch-and-release categories.
It has taken nearly four years, but a record option now will be available for anglers in Wisconsin who prefer to release their fish.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” said Pete Maina of Hayward, a television personality who often appears on “John Gillespie’s Waters and Woods” and former fishing guide. “I think it’s really neat that trophy catch-and-release accomplishments get as much or more recognition as someone who decides to kill a fish just to get a record.”
Previously, the agency maintained two record fish categories: Hook-and-line and alternate methods (including bowfishing and spearing). Both rank fish based on weight.
Last year, five hook-and-line records were set in Wisconsin (mottled sculpin, tiger trout, pinook salmon, slimy sculpin and quillback carpsucker). Typical to “kept fish” records, all the fish were killed and weighed and verified by a DNR biologist.
Obviously the new “Live Release” category would allow fish to be returned to the water to spawn, grow and potentially be caught again.
The agency is finalizing details for the program and as of last week had no information listed on its website.
However, under a 2016 draft, the Live Release category would require anglers to photograph fish against a ruler or other measuring device and release the fish in good condition.
The photographic evidence would then be submitted with an application.
The DNR would keep records for the longest of 32 fish species that swim Wisconsin waters, according to the plan.
And minimum qualifying lengths would be set for each species, including 55 inches for muskellunge, 23 inches for largemouth bass and 30 inches for walleye.
Additional information is expected to be available from the DNR this spring.
“Catch-and-release is the future of the sport,” Maina said. “This new DNR program will highlight and encourage the practice. I expect it will get a very warm reception.”
Waterfowl hearings: The DNR will hold public hearings this week on proposed regulations for the 2017 waterfowl hunting seasons.
The 2017 migratory bird season proposals are very similar to 2016 and include a six-bird daily bag limit and 60-day seasons for ducks, a 15-day early September Canada goose season, a 92-day exterior zone goose season and an early teal season Sept. 1-7.
The DNR plans to offer the early teal season for a fourth year even though a three-year experiment ended last year and no decision has been made to make the season permanent.
The public hearings start at 7 p.m. and will be held:
Monday, State Office Building, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse;
Tuesday, AmeriVu Inn, 1710 South Main St., Rice Lake;
Wednesday, Agricultural Services Center, 3369 West Brewster St., Appleton;
Thursday, Wildwood Lodge, N14 W24121 Tower Place, Pewaukee.
The department will accept public comments on the proposed regulations at each hearing. Comments also may be provided through midnight March 17 to Taylor Finger, Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, to Taylor.finger@wisconsin.gov or by calling (608) 266-8841.